Not getting enough sleep? Stuck doomscrolling on your device? Frustrated by procrastination? The Student Health Center can help you learn to break those patterns and replace them with healthier habits. Starting this semester, Health Promotions & Student Well-Being Specialist Jordan Loo has been working with thirteen students on a 21-Days Wellness health coaching initiative.
Students who join the initiative begin with a goal-setting session, followed by weekly one-on-one confidential meetings with a health coach over four weeks. A certified health coach, Loo says that meeting once a week gives students a sense of structure and routine, much like attending a class. Having a regular check-in also helps them stay committed to the small habits they're working to build.
"They tell me it almost feels like they're handing in homework to me each week," he says with a smile. "It's a way of keeping themselves accountable and seeing how far they've come."
In that first session Loo asks students about their current lifestyle and challenges to learn about what motivates them. "Then he uses motivational interviewing, behavior change theories, and strengths-based coaching to help students find sustainable solutions."
“Lots of people focus on their weaknesses. I focus on what you’re doing well,” he says. "My approach is to ask the right questions, not give all the answers, so students can discover their own insights and experience those powerful a-ha moments.”
Loo works with students on everything from establishing healthy habits surrounding sleep habits, time management, and phone use. Students can work with a health coach at the same time as they work with one of the Health Center’s counseling staff.
A lot of what happens in coaching sessions, he says, is focusing on the positives, reminding students about what’s important to them and that establishing healthy habits isn’t an all or nothing pursuit. “They leave with a smile on their face,” he says, and the confidence to make change.
One Class of 2030 student says the coaching sessions have really helped them control their habit of biting their nails when they're anxious. “Coaching gives me personal attention and accountability that I can count on,” they say. “I've gained the value of appreciating patience, to slow down and build up the small wins rather than looking for the big ones, because eventually, those small wins will be able to become the big win you're looking for.”
In the fourth session, students review their progress with Loo and decide together whether or not to conclude, continue for another four weeks, or revisit health coaching later in the academic year.
For now, the program is being promoted mostly by word of mouth and referrals. The Health Center plans to expand the initiative in the Spring semester so that more students can participate. Students can inquire about the program by getting in touch with the Health Center.